Clothesline



June 15 1926.

G. L. OLIVER ET AL CLOTHESLINE Filed May 2, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 gwwntozs 61. alive? IZ/9f ifanpe Patented June 15, 1926.

UNITED STATES rarer oFrlcE.

GEORGE L. OLIVER AND JESSE H. FRANCE, OF LA GRANDE, OREGON.

GLOTI-IESLINE.

This invention relates to certain improvements in clothes-lines and it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind of a pinless type. I

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device of'this kind comprising a plurality of separate units each of which being provided with clamping means together with means whereby adjacent .units may be coupled'or connected one with the other.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and ar ra-ngement of the several parts of our improved clothes-line whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and other wise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of our invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that our invention may be the better understood, we will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in top plan illustrating a clothes-line constructed in accordance with an embodiment of our invention;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation ofthe structure as illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in perspective of a portion of an end unit as herein comprised;

Figure 4; is a view in perspective of the opposite end unit as herein disclosed;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a pair of intermediate units;

Figure 6 is a view in perspective of a clamping member as herein set forth;

Figure 7 is a view in perspective of a coupling link or shackle as herein employed;

Figure 8 is a-view in perspective of an elongated member and the associated cross member comprised in an intermediate unit.

Our improved clothes-line, as herein disclosed comprises a plurality of units A, B and d, the units A and C constituting end units while each of the units B constitutes an intermediate unit.

Each of'the units B comprises an elongated strand 1 of wire of requisite gauge and which has operatively connected with each end portion thereof a clamping member D. I Each ofthe clamping members D comprises suitable strand of wire returned upon it self to provide the side members it spaced 1 1 Application filed. May 2, 1925. Serial No. 27,528.

one from the other with the connected end portions thereof angularly disposed, as at 3, said portions 3 being adapted to straddle the strand 1 when the member D is in clamping position whereby an article of clothing or the like is effectively attached to the strand 1. The free end portions of the members 2 are returned to providethe loops 4L, the extremities of said returned portions 5 being pinched or otherwise attached, as at 6, to the members 2. lhe outer portions of the loops 4: are angularly related with respect to the members 2 and a bar a of each of the loops 1 is substantially arcuate in form with its central portion coiled to provide an eye 7 whereby an extremity of a cross member 8 may be operatively engaged with said bar a. An end portion of-the strand 1 is freely engaged with said cross member 8 preferably through the medium of an eye 9 formed at such extremity whereby the member D may have requisite swinging move ment with respect to the strand 1 to effect clamping action thereon or to move said member D into inoperative position. A side member 2 adjacent the angularly disposed portion 3 thereof is formed with an outstanding and laterally disposed loop- 10 pro viding means whereby the member D may be readily engaged by a hand to effect the desired swinging movement thereof. The end portions of adjacent units B are tied or connected one to the other by an interposed link or shackle 11, herein disclosed as substantially rectangular in form, and having its end bars 6 freely disposed through the outer end portions of the loops 4:, said end portions of the loops t being pinched or compressed so that said coupling link or shackle is held against undue movement lengthwise of the loops 4 yet capable of ready relative swinging movement.

The end unit A is provided at one end portion with a clamping member D similar in construction and operating as a clamping member D hereinbefore referred to, while the outer end of the strand 1 thereof is formed to provide a relatively large eye member 12 to permit said unit A to be effetively engaged with a suitable support.

The second end unit C comprises an elongated strand 1 of requisite gauge and length formed at its outer end to provide a relatively large e'y'e member 14: for engage ment with a suitable support while the op posits end of the strand 1 is formed to pars vide a transversely disposed or cross loop 15 the outer bar 6 of which has hingedly or piv-otally connected therewith the outer end portions of the loops 4; of a clamping member D coacting with the adjacent end portion of unit B.

When our improved line is in use, the Weight of the garments held to the various units A and B by the clamping members D and D provide means to further assure the requisite clamping action of said members D and D upon the strands 1 and 1 by the pull imposed upon the outer end portions ofthe loops 4 of the units B or C operati'vely' engaged therewith.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a clothes-line constructed in accordance with our invention is particularly Well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility With vvhich it may be assembled and operated, and it Will also be obvious that our invention is susceptible of some change and modification Without departing from the prin ciples and spirit thereof and for this reason We do not Wish to be understood as limiting ourselves to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out our invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

lVe claim A clothes-line comprising a plurality of units, one of said units consisting of a strand of material, and another of said units consisting of a clamping member comprising a pair of parallel arms, said arms being connected at one end in the form of a saddle, said saddle being adapted to straddle the strand, the opposite ends of each of said arms being joined With a loop, the loop being angularly disposed relative to the parallel arms, each of said a-ngularly disposed loops being formed With an eye therein at the juncture of the parallel arm and the loop, means bridging said eyes, and means for pivotally connecting the strand to said bridging means, all constructed and arranged to clamp an article between the saddle and the strand upon a pull being e2;- eXerted on the strand and on the free ends of the loops.

In testimony whereof we hereunto affix our signatures.

GEORGE L. OLIVER. JESSE H. FRANCE. 

